10 Bosses you Should stay clear of

Updated on November 1, 2013

As a warning

to all would-be employees, I offer you this list, along with colorful photos, of 10 bosses you should never work for. Well, in all honesty, you should stay clear of these men and women who for some reason, have climbed the corporate ladder into the top-level of management and treat their employees like animals.

No, I take that back. Animals are treated much better.

So if you are job hunting, read this story first. Then make your decision as to how to avoid the types of bosses I am talking about in this presentation.

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The unforgiving boss

will make your career miserable. Sure you go into work to do your best everyday, but during the course of a week or day, you will make your share of innocent mistakes. Every employee makes innocent mistakes, all except those who are stealing company supplies or embezzling. But let me warn you here and now. A boss that will not forgive any employee of one innocent mistake is not worth the hassle of hearing him or her tell over and over again at break, at meetings, and at the company picnic, how you sold a product for way less than you should because your department manager was too hung-over to proofread your sales order.

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The suspicious boss

is almost as bad as the boss above, the unforgiving boss. Yes, a good supervisor should always be aware of company delinquents and slackers, but looking over everyone's shoulder every hour of the day? Not a good thing, in my opinion. I tell you this. If a boss can and will not trust his or her employees, he needs to be at home or in a rest home getting professional help with his trust issues.

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The stupid boss

got his promotion the old fashioned way. He was the CEO's nephew who couldn't hold a job in any other company. So nephew in his powerful position begins to reveal his stupid side to his employees. He makes the employees of his division of his uncle's company (see fearful girl in photo) use an iron as a phone for one reason: just because he can get away with it. I ask you, would you work for someone like this? I wouldn't. They are not only stupid, but dangerous. This stupid boss puts you and others near the unemployment line each time he demands you perform another stupid antic for his or her amusement. Stay away for these people. Please.

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The stern boss

is so outdated it is laughable. Hey, stern bosses. This is 2013, not the 1890's and women are not going to wear long, ankle-length dresses with bustles, high-top shoes and hats to work. Neither or men going to wear derby hats and pin-stripe suits. I agree that a company needs discipline, but people like this are not needed in today's workplace. He is so stern that he once fired a woman for winking at a photo of her little boy she had in her purse. His outdated reasoning was if a woman winks, she is bound for a loose life and lots of sexual transmitted diseases.

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The loud, boisterous boss

has a problem with security. His or hers. They cannot speak in a mild, confident tone of voice. To cover up their inadequacies, they have to yell at workers to get things done. Even in the work area, they will yell, in angry tones, across the entire office at a man on break to "hurry up," so he can get back to making minimum wage. The sad thing is that the man on break is this loudmouth's dad.

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Improperly-dressed boss

only dresses in an inappropriate manner to get attention. What a shame. He or she struts into work wearing a mismatched suit and pants, or in a woman's case, skirt slit up one side. Those days of doing such asinine things as dressing for work like you were in a Broadway play are over. Today, a boss is expected to dress properly and modestly. Your boss is not there to entertain you, but make sure you and your coworkers do a good job and get fair treatment.

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The super-impatient boss

in this photo (the girl yelling at a poor, non-violent male employee) cannot wait for this poor guy to finish his work. She is on his heels every hour asking, "hey, Bob! Wake up. Have you finished the Johnson Project? Huh?" And her impatience only makes the fearful employee only slower in getting is work done. Show me an impatient boss, male or female, and I will show you two things: 1. The turnover rate in their office will stagger you and 2. The impatient boss is a good candidate for a heart attack.

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The distrusting boss

is a border-line perfectionist. He or she feels that "they" are the only ones who can do the work that is asked of the employees. EXAMPLE: The distrustful boss issues an employee a report to do about some office-related issue and before he or she can type the first word, the distrustful boss is standing over them making other unwanted suggestions--even going as far as to volunteer to do the work his or herself. This distrustful behavior is annoying and despised. I would wager that the distrustful boss doesn't trust is wife, girlfriend, boyfriend or husband. Even their kids are scrutinized daily. I urge you to find out if the boss you are going to work for is distrustful. If they are, head out to another job interview.

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The bully boss

has failed, big time, at something before he or she became a manager. They are bullies the year around. They are constantly having to prove that they are in charge, by unmercifully making the employees do things to make him look powerful. Take this photo of him standing over the poor employees doing 100 push-ups simply for not inviting him or her to their annual Employees Night Out. Stay away from managers who always ask, "Who's the boss, me or you?"

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The arrogant boss

is not well-liked by his or her employees. This arrogant boss is constantly calling for staff meetings to share what he or she has done in that week. They even post their accomplishments, such as landing a new account, on the company bulletin board. Arrogance has no place in any arena of life. Especially in the workplace. One unneeded the arrogant boss practices is they never hire average people who are well-qualified I might add, but upper-crust people like they are. People whose last names mean wealth and power. The arrogant boss is never given a Boss Of The Year Award or a Best Boss coffee mug.

Comments 9 comments

davidlivermore 3 years ago from Bakersfield, California, United States

All supervisors tend to be one of these, even slightly. I know I am a stern boss. I try not to be, but I just can't help it sometimes.

LongTimeMother 3 years ago from Australia

Hi Kenneth. One solution would be to become self-employed. Unfortunately though there are many people who would find it hard to work for themselves for the same reasons that you outlined. lol.

Voted up +

DDE 3 years ago from Dubrovnik, Croatia

10 Bosses you Should stay clear of yeah I once had an abusive boss eventually I quit and did not give her the benefit of using her verbal abuse on me she was such a miserable boss with such a loud character and so not worth working for. I didn't know when she would be in a good mood it was terrible so glad I got out of that job. Very useful tips here and a helpful hub indeed

kenneth avery 3 years ago from Hamilton, Alabama Author

David,

Thanks for the comment. I understand your point. Trying not to be so stern is a good start to being a good manager.

kenneth avery 3 years ago from Hamilton, Alabama Author

Hi, LongTimeMother,

Great idea. Self-employment. Why don't you write a hub about self-employment as an alternative to bad bosses.

kenneth avery 3 years ago from Hamilton, Alabama Author

Thank you, DDE,

For your thinking. I truly enjoy your comments and friendship.

Visit me anytime.

mgt28 3 years ago

There is good balance text and pictures. This is funny and informative.

I cannot tell which type of boss is worse, Ken you did not go ease on any type of boss.

teaches12345 3 years ago

I think I have had one of each at some time or another during my career. Learned that it was my response that would make the difference. Good topic and well covered.

lupine 3 years ago from Southern California (USA)

Kenneth, Great Hub, like usual. I expect nothing less from your insightful writing. One good way to have a better boss is to help him with his personal letter writing, filling out his applications for dating services, and knowing him for a long time...then he can't really tell you anything bad. You have kept his secrets from other employees for years, as he instructed. This was one of my jobs...for 13 years. Sometimes I though it was a little more information than I needed to know. He always gave me an excellent job reference to this day.